Heads-up-display for use in a media manipulation operation

ABSTRACT

Techniques are provided for generating a heads-up-display to assist users during performance of media manipulation operations. According to one embodiment, a transient heads-up-display is displayed during a media manipulation operation to assist the user in the media manipulation operation. The heads-up-display may, for example, depict three frames of a video clip when an audio clip is being positioned, on a timeline, relative to the video clip. The three frames that are depicted in the heads-up-display may be the frames located at the current starting position, cursor position, and ending position, of the audio clip. As the audio clip is being moved during the positioning operation, the three frames depicted in the heads-up-display change accordingly.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to provisional application No.60/923,228 filed Apr. 13, 2007, the contents of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to media manipulation operations and, morespecifically, to operations that manipulate media items relative to atimeline with which one or more other media items are associated.

BACKGROUND

Many software applications exist that allow users to perform operationson media items, such as video clips and sound clips. Those applicationsoften generate a user interface display that includes a timeline, andprovide tools that allow users to position media items along thetimeline.

For example, a user may add a video clip to a timeline, where the startof the video clip corresponds to time T1 and the end of the video clipcorresponds to time T500. Once the video clip has been placed on thetimeline, a user may wish to place an audio clip along the sametimeline. In many cases, the quality of the final product being createdby the user may hinge on the accuracy of the placement of the audio.

To assist the user in selecting where to place the audio clip, thesoftware application may include, within the layout of the timelinedisplay screen, a video window and a playhead control. The video windowdisplays a video frame of the video clip. The specific video frame thatis displayed is determined by the position of the playhead control.Typically, the software application would allow the user to move theplayhead control along the displayed timeline. As the playhead controlis moved along the timeline, the video window displays the video frameof the video clip that corresponds to the current position of theplayhead control.

By watching the video window while moving the playhead control, a usermay identify a video frame at which the audio clip should start. Theuser may then place the start of the audio clip at the position of theplayhead control in the timeline, to ensure that the audio clip willstart playing at the frame currently displayed in the video window.

If it is important for an audio clip to end at a particular frame in thevideo, then the user may find the appropriate frame by moving theplayhead control while watching the video window, and then position theaudio clip on the timeline so that the audio clip ends at the currentposition of the playhead control.

Unfortunately, the process of first positioning the playhead, and thenpositioning a media clip based on the playhead, is cumbersome.Consequently, some software applications include a feature that allowsusers to place media items, based on the video window, without firstpositioning the playhead. Specifically, while a user is positioning anaudio clip on a timeline, some applications cause the video window todisplay the video frame that corresponds to the current position of thestart of the audio clip, regardless of the current position of theplayhead. By watching the video window while moving the audio clip alongthe timeline, the user can pick the exact video frame for the start ofthe audio.

Unfortunately, causing the video window to display the video frame thatcorresponds to the start of the audio clip may not provide sufficientinformation to the user. For example, a user that is concerned about thevideo frame that corresponds to the end of the audio clip will not behelped by seeing the video frame that corresponds to the start of theaudio clip. Further, it is rather cumbersome to be placing a video clipalong a timeline on one part of the display, while trying to watch thevideo frames that are being shown in another part of the display. Thecorrect placement of media clips along a timeline is made even moredifficult by the fact that the video windows in timeline interfaces areoften very small (to allow more room for the other aspects of thetimeline interface), and may be visually distant from the timeline onwhich the media clip is being placed. To increase the size of the videowindow, users often display the video window on one screen, and theother components of the timeline interface on another screen.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a heads up display that isgenerated to assist with media manipulation operations, according to anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system upon which embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

Overview

Techniques are described hereafter for generating a heads-up-display toassist users during performance of media manipulation operations.Typically, a heads-up-display takes the form of a small floating windowwith task-specific controls. According to one embodiment, a transientheads-up-display is displayed during a media manipulation operation toassist the user in the media manipulation operation. For example, in oneembodiment, the heads-up-display depicts three frames of a video clipwhen an audio clip is being positioned relative to the video clip. Thethree frames that are depicted in the heads-up-display are the frameslocated at the current starting position, cursor position, and endingposition, of the audio clip. As the audio clip is being moved during thepositioning operation, the three frames depicted in the heads-up-displaychange accordingly.

For interfaces that include a video window, the user need not repeatedlycheck the video window during the media manipulation operation, becausethe frames depicted in the heads-up-display provide the informationnecessary for the user to accurately position media clips relative toother media clips. Thus, the video window may, for example, remainunchanged during a media manipulation operation. For example, the videowindow may continue to display the frame of a video clip thatcorresponds to the current playhead position.

Further, in embodiments where the heads-up-display is generatedtemporarily during the media manipulation operation, theheads-up-display may be larger than would otherwise be practical if thedisplay were a non-transient component of the user interface. A largeheads-up-display may temporarily obscure other features of the interfaceduring the media manipulation operation. However, in response tocompletion of the media manipulation operation, the heads-up-displaydisappears, allowing those features to be fully visible.

In one embodiment, the heads-up-display tracks the user's cursor duringthe media manipulation operation. Because the heads-up-display remainsnear the user's cursor as the user moves the cursor during the mediamanipulation operation, the user need not repeatedly move her eyesbetween the cursor (which is positioning the clip), and theheads-up-display.

Generating a three-frame heads-up-display during the placement of anaudio clip relative to a video clip is merely one example of how thetechniques described herein may be employed during media manipulationoperations. Many additional examples shall be given hereafter.

There are numerous advantages to a heads-up-display over theconventional approach of reusing the video window to assist a userduring a media manipulation operation. For example, often in audio, thevideo window is small to leave more room for the timeline. A transientheads-up-display can be made much larger. With a largerheads-up-display, the heads-up-display can accommodate multiple framesof video without losing detail.

In one embodiment, heads-up-displays are translucent. Consequently, thetimeline (and other non-transient components of the timeline interface)would still appear below the heads-up-display, so less context isobscured.

By keeping the heads-up-display near the cursor, user can stay focusedon the cursor area, instead of switching between the mouse area and thevideo window (which may be far away on a large screen).

Example Heads-Up-Display Display

Referring to FIG. 1, it illustrates an interface 100 that includes aheads-up-display 110, according to an embodiment of the invention.During a media manipulation operation, heads-up-display 110 appears nearthe cursor, and moves intelligently as needed. Preferably, theheads-up-display 110 tracks near the mouse at all times.

The specific media manipulation operation illustrated in FIG. 1 is theplacement of an audio clip 106 onto timeline interface 102. The mediaitem whose timeline position is affected by the media operation isreferred to herein as the “target media item”. Thus, in the mediamanipulation operation illustrated in FIG. 1, audio clip 106 is thetarget media item.

During the placement of audio clip 106, the heads-up-display 110displays frames from a video clip 104 that has been positioned along atimeline 130 of a timeline control 102. For the purpose of explanation,video clip 104 shall be referred to herein as an “in-place” media item,since the media manipulation operation does not affect the position ofvideo clip 104 along the timeline 130.

It should be noted that, while FIG. 1 only shows one video clip on thetimeline 130, there may be any number of video clips (A, B, . . . N) onthe timeline 130. Under these circumstances, the heads-up-display maydisplay the correct frame(s) from the appropriate video clip.Alternatively, the heads-up-display may also display frames frommultiple video clips at a single time. For example, the heads-up-displaymay composite the clips to provide a video display matching what is seenin the viewer.

In the illustrated embodiment, heads-up-display 110 has three frames112, 114, and 116 from video clip 104, and also includes timecodes thatindicate times associated with the depicted frames. The first frame 112depicts the video frame of in-place video clip 104 that corresponds totime T1 on timeline 130. The video frame that corresponds to time T1 isdepicted because the start of audio clip 106 currently coincides withtime T1. Thus, if the user were to place audio clip 106 at the positionshown in FIG. 1, playback of the audio clip would begin at the same timethat video frame 112 of in-place video clip 104 is displayed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second frame 114 depicts the videoframe of in-place video clip 104 that corresponds to time T2 on timeline130. The video frame that corresponds to time T2 is depicted because thecursor that is being used to position audio clip 106 is currently attime T2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third frame 116 depicts the videoframe of in-place video clip 104 that corresponds to time T3 on timeline130. The video frame that corresponds to time T3 is depicted because theend of audio clip 106 currently coincides with time T3. Thus, if theuser were to place audio clip 106 at the position shown in FIG. 1,playback of the audio clip 106 would end at the same time that videoframe 116 of in-place video clip 104 is displayed.

Interface 100 also includes a video window 120 and a playhead 108. Videowindow 120 is a non-transient component of interface 110. In oneembodiment, video window 120 continues to display the frame of in-placevideo clip 104 that corresponds to the current position of playhead 108.

According to one embodiment illustrated, the heads-up-display is atranslucent window which shows multiple frames of video when the user isdoing certain actions in the timeline interface 100. Each frame of videoillustrated in the heads-up-display is labeled with its timecode. Theheads-up-display intelligently tracks the mouse cursor. Whileintelligently tracking the mouse cursor, the heads-up-display may notnecessarily move every time the cursor moves, but it will always remainnear the cursor.

The heads-up-display automatically shows and hides based on whether theuser is performing certain scrubbing operations. In one embodiment, theuser is also able to explicitly dismiss the heads-up-display.

Typically, a timeline interface such as interface 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 is used to show all media items that belong to a “project”. Ifthe project does not currently contain video, then there will not be anyin-place video clip. According to one embodiment, when no in-place videoclip is present, the heads-up-display may still be used to showtimecodes that correspond to the start and end of the target media, aswell as a timecode associated with the current cursor position.

Sync Points and Clip Markers

Sync points are pre-established points of interest within a file. Forexample, in an audio clip of a gunshot, it may be important to knowwhere, within the audio clip, that the gun is actually fired. To assistusers, the creator of the audio clip may embed metadata within the clipthat establishes the firing-location as a sync point. A media clip mayhave any number of creator-established sync points, all of which may beidentified by metadata embedded in the clip, or metadata maintainedexternal to the clip. In some embodiment, end-users are provided amechanism by which they may add sync points to a media item. Themechanism may update the file of the media item itself, or maintain themetadata for user-defined sync points external to the file.

Clip markers are user-specified points in a clip. Clip markers are oftenused to attach notes, or to synchronize other clips to the clips thathave the clip markers. Clip markers are different from sync points,which are file-specific. A clip is a starting and ending point pair fora file (from time ‘x’ to time ‘y’), and there may be multiple clips in atimeline for a given file.

As shall be described in greater detail hereafter, the presence of syncpoints and/or clip markers in a target media item may affect thecontents of the heads-up-display that is shown during a mediamanipulation operation.

Uses of Heads-Up-Displays During Media Manipulation

As mentioned above, the placement of an audio clip on a timeline onwhich a video clip has already been positioned is merely one example ofhow a heads-up-display may be used during a media manipulationoperation. Other examples that are also within the scope of the presentinvention include:

MAKING A SELECTION IN A TIMELINE: When a selection of an in-place mediaitem is created (timeslice or other), a two point heads-up-display isgenerated, where the heads-up-display shows the starting and endingframes of the portion that is currently selected to help users make theselection.

In one embodiment, when the user creates a selection marquee ortimeslice, a 2 frame heads-up-display is displayed which shows the videoframe at the start of the selection and the video frame at the end ofthe selection. If the user is making the selection with the mouse, theheads-up-display will close when the user lets go of the mouse button.If the user is modifying the selection using Three Point Selectionscrubbers, the heads-up-display will appear when the user clicks in oneof the scrubbers and will close after there have been no changes to theselection for a short time.

DRAGGING A CLIP INTO A TIMELINE: When a clip enters the timeline, theheads-up-display appears and shows at least three frames. The firstframe corresponds to the start of the clip, and the third framecorresponds to the end of the clip. The middle frame may be either a) async point in the file, b) a clip marker or c) the cursor position. Insome embodiments, more than three frames are displayed in theheads-up-display. For example, the heads-up-display may include framesfor each of multiple markers or sync points. When a clip leaves thetimeline, the heads-up-display disappears.

Specifically, in one embodiment, when the user drags a new clip into thetimeline, a heads-up-display will be displayed with at least two videoframes. The first frame will be for the start of the clip and the lastframe for the end of the clip. The middle frames would be for any syncpoints that have been added to the file. When the clip leaves thetimeline area or the user lets go of the mouse button, theheads-up-display automatically disappears.

DRAGGING A CLIP AROUND THE TIMELINE: In one embodiment, when the userdrags an already existing clip around the timeline, a heads-up-displayis displayed with at least 2 video frames. The first frame is for thestart of the clip and the last frame is for the end of the clip. Themiddle frame(s) are for any sync points or clip markers that have beenadded to the clip. A clip could have many markers and sync points. Thus,how many and which frames to show may vary from implementation toimplementation. When the user lets go of the mouse button, theheads-up-display automatically closes. In the case of dragging multipleclips, the first frame of video would be from the leading edge of theearliest clip in time and the last frame of video would be for thetrailing edge of the last clip in time. The middle frame corresponds tothe current cursor position.

RESIZING A CLIP IN THE TIMELINE: When clips are resized, only one pointis changing (the start or the end). Thus, during resizing, theheads-up-display may display frame information around that changingpoint, rather than frames of both edges. Alternatively, when the userresizes a clip in the timeline, a heads-up-display is displayed with twovideo frames (one for each edge of the clip). As the user resizes oneedge of the clip, that frame will update. In one embodiment, when clipsare dragged, a single frame heads-up-display is displayed at the cursorwhile the user is performing the dragging operation.

TIME STRETCHING A SELECTION: When time stretching a selection, a singleframe heads-up-display is displayed at the cursor while the user isdragging. The frame illustrated in the heads-up-display is the frame, ofthe in-place media item, that corresponds to the current position of thecursor that is performing the dragging operation.

For example, when the user uses a Time Stretch Tool, a heads-up-displayis displayed with a single frame of video that follows the cursorlocation. When the user lets go of the mouse button, theheads-up-display closes.

USING NUDGE KEYS TO MOVE A CLIP: When using nudge keys to move a clip, atwo frame heads-up-display is generated, where the first frame is thein-place media item frame that corresponds to the start of the targetclip, and the second frame is the in-place media item frame thatcorresponds to the end of the target clip.

In one embodiment, when the nudge keys are used to move a clip, aheads-up-display with a frame for the beginning and end of the clip aredisplayed. If multiple clips are selected, the frames are for thebeginning of the left most clip and end of the right most clip.

HORIZONTALLY MOVING ENVELOPE POINT: An envelope point is similar to akeyframe in video. Specifically, an envelop point is a specific point,set by the user, on a parameter automation curve (e.g., a volume curvewhich adjusts the volume of the track or clip over time). Users oftenplace envelope points to synchronize to a specific event in audio orvideo. In one embodiment, when the user moves an envelope pointhorizontally, a heads-up-display will be displayed which shows thecurrent envelope point position. If multiple envelope points areselected, two or three frames a shown: one for the first envelope point,one for the last envelope point, and one for the envelope point beingdragged if it is not the first or last point.

DRAGGING MARKERS: A marker is a point on the timeline that the userwishes saved (like a clip marker). These often need to be synchronizedto specific events in audio or video. According to one embodiment, aone-frame heads-up-display is shown when a user drags a single marker. Atwo-frame heads-up-display is shown when dragging two markers. Athree-frame heads-up-display should be shown when dragging three or moremarkers. In this case the first marker, the marker being dragged, andthe last marker are the video frames that get shown.

Displaying and Hiding the Head-Up-Display

According to one embodiment, the heads-up-display is transient,automatically being displayed in response to the initiation of a mediamanipulation operation, and automatically being hidden at the conclusionof the media manipulation operation. In some embodiment, the user may beprovided additional ways to control the display and hiding of theheads-up-display.

For example, in one embodiment, if the heads-up-display gets in the way,the user could dismiss it via a gesture. One gesture that may be usedfor this purpose (with a mouse or pen) is a quick, diagonal motion overa short distance (a “flick”). The occurrence of a flick can be detectedby calculating the acceleration of the cursor (change in velocity overtime), using a small distance and small time as constraints. In such anembodiment, the heads-up-display would be dismissed when the mouse movedsuddenly and sharply over a short distance and time.

In one embodiment, tapping a specified key brings up theheads-up-display. Once displayed, tapping the specified key again willhide the heads-up-display. In one embodiment, pressing a designated keyfor more than a predetermined time will cause the heads-up-display to bedisplayed as long as the user continues to press the designated key. Assoon as the user releases the designated key after pressing thedesignated key, the heads-up-display is hidden. Thus, if the initial keypress duration is less than a predetermined duration, theheads-up-display may continue to be displayed after release of the key,but if the initial key press duration is greater than the predeterminedduration, the heads-up-display may be hidden in response to release ofthe key.

In one embodiment, the heads-up-display has two operation modes:automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the heads-up-display appearsand disappears based on actions the user is performing in the timeline.In automatic mode, the heads-up-display intelligently tracks the mouse.

In manual mode, the user must explicitly bring up the heads-up-displayusing the Window menu, a key command, or some other explicit user input.When displayed manually, the heads-up-display may appear as a windowwith a standard close box. The user can move the window anywhere on thescreen. In one embodiment, the heads-up-display does not track the mousewhen in manual mode.

Hardware Overview

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 200 uponwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Computer system200 includes a bus 202 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 204 coupled with bus 202 forprocessing information. Computer system 200 also includes a main memory206, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storagedevice, coupled to bus 202 for storing information and instructions tobe executed by processor 204. Main memory 206 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 204. Computersystem 200 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 208 or other staticstorage device coupled to bus 202 for storing static information andinstructions for processor 204. A storage device 210, such as a magneticdisk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 202 for storinginformation and instructions.

Computer system 200 may be coupled via bus 202 to a display 212, such asa cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.An input device 214, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupledto bus 202 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 204. Another type of user input device is cursor control 216,such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to processor 204 and forcontrolling cursor movement on display 212. This input device typicallyhas two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and asecond axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in aplane.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 200 forimplementing the techniques described herein. According to oneembodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computersystem 200 in response to processor 204 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions contained in main memory 206. Suchinstructions may be read into main memory 206 from anothermachine-readable medium, such as storage device 210. Execution of thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 206 causes processor204 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus,embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combinationof hardware circuitry and software.

The term “machine-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data that causes a machine to operationin a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using computersystem 200, various machine-readable media are involved, for example, inproviding instructions to processor 204 for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to storage media andtransmission media. Storage media includes both non-volatile media andvolatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 210. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory 206. Transmission media includescoaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise bus 202. Transmission media can also take the form of acousticor light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-reddata communications. All such media must be tangible to enable theinstructions carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanismthat reads the instructions into a machine.

Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punchcards, papertape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of machine-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 204 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 200 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 202. Bus 202 carries the data tomain memory 206, from which processor 204 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 206 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 210 either before or afterexecution by processor 204.

Computer system 200 also includes a communication interface 218 coupledto bus 202. Communication interface 218 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 220 that is connected to alocal network 222. For example, communication interface 218 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide adata communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.As another example, communication interface 218 may be a local areanetwork (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to acompatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any suchimplementation, communication interface 218 sends and receiveselectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams representing various types of information.

Network link 220 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 220 mayprovide a connection through local network 222 to a host computer 224 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 226.ISP 226 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 228. Local network 222 and Internet 228 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 220and through communication interface 218, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 200, are exemplary forms of carrier wavestransporting the information.

Computer system 200 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 220 and communicationinterface 218. In the Internet example, a server 230 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 228, ISP 226,local network 222 and communication interface 218.

The received code may be executed by processor 204 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 210, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 200 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

1. A method for facilitating a media manipulation operation, comprising:receiving user input that changes when playback of a target media itemwill end relative to a timeline; wherein the target media item isrepresented by a visual representation that has a start and an end;wherein the location of the end of the visual representation, relativeto the timeline, determines when playback of the target media item willend relative to an in-place video item that has been associated with thetimeline and that comprises a plurality of frames; wherein the userinput causes the end of the visual representation to move relative tothe timeline; wherein the in-place video item has a playback time,relative to the timeline, that does not change in response to the userinput; in response to the user input, performing the steps of:automatically selecting a particular frame, from the plurality offrames, based on the particular frame being aligned with the end of thevisual representation, wherein the particular frame is selected withoutregard to the position of any cursor, and displaying a heads-up-displaythat visually depicts at least the particular frame without playing thein-place video item; and wherein the method is performed by one or morecomputing devices.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user input isinput that initiates the media manipulation operation.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein: the user input moves the entire visual representationof the target media item; the target media item includes one or moresync points, and the heads-up-display includes, for each sync point ofthe one or more sync points, a frame of the in-place video that islocated at a position that currently corresponds to where the sync pointaligns with the timeline.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein: the userinput moves the entire visual representation of the target media item;the target media item includes one or more clip markers, and theheads-up-display includes, for each clip marker of the one or more clipmarkers, a frame of the in-place video that is located at a positionthat currently corresponds to where the clip marker aligns with thetimeline.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the heads-up-display isautomatically hidden in response to completion of the media manipulationoperation.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein: the representation of thetarget media item is a first representation; when the media manipulationoperation is initiated, a second representation, that represents thein-place video item, is located on the timeline; and the mediamanipulation operation involves placing the first representation on thetimeline.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising causing movementof the heads-up-display to track movement of a cursor that is being usedto manipulate the first representation.
 8. The method of claim 1 whereinthe user input is one of: placing the visual representation of thetarget media item onto a visual display of the timeline; dragging thevisual representation from one location on the timeline to anotherlocation on the timeline; or resizing the visual representation.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the location of the start of the visualrepresentation, relative to the timeline, determines when playback ofthe target media item will start relative to the in-place video itemthat has been associated with the timeline; the user input causes thestart of the visual representation to move relative to the timeline; andthe method further comprising, in response to the user input:determining where the start of the visual representation aligns with thetimeline; and identifying a second frame, of the in-place video item,that corresponds to whether the start of the visual representationaligns with the timeline; wherein the heads-up-display concurrentlydepicts the second frame and the particular frame.
 10. A method forfacilitating a media manipulation operation, comprising: detecting userinput that moves a visual element relative to a timeline; wherein avideo item that is separate from the visual element has been positioned,relative to the timeline, prior to detecting the user input; wherein thevisual element represents one of: an envelope point of a parameterautomation curve, a clip marker that is a user-specified point within afirst media clip that is separate from the video item and that isneither the beginning nor the end of the first media clip, wherein theclip marker does not move relative to the first media clip but does moverelative to the timeline, or a sync point that is a point establishedwithin a second media clip that is separate from the video item and thatis neither the beginning nor the end of the second media clip, whereinthe sync point does not move relative to the second media clip but doesmove relative to the timeline; in response to the user input, displayinga heads-up-display that visually depicts a particular frame of the videoitem; wherein the particular frame is selected for display in theheads-up display without regard to the position of any cursor; whereinthe user input moves the visual element relative to the timeline, butdoes not affect the position of the video item relative to the timeline;wherein the particular frame is at a particular location, within thevideo item, that corresponds to the current location of the visualelement relative to the timeline; wherein the particular locationchanges in response to movement of the visual element during the mediamanipulation operation; and in response to changes to the particularlocation, changing the frame displayed in the heads-up-display; whereinthe method is performed by one or more computing devices.
 11. The methodof claim 10 wherein the visual element represents a sync point that is apoint established within a second media clip that is separate from thevideo item and that is neither the beginning nor the end of the secondmedia clip, wherein the sync point does not move relative to the secondmedia clip but does move relative to the timeline.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual element represents an envelope point of aparameter automation curve.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein thevisual element represents a clip marker that is a user-specified pointwithin a first media clip that is separate from the video item and thatis neither the beginning nor the end of the first media clip, whereinthe clip marker does not move relative to the first media clip but doesmove relative to the timeline.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing instructions for facilitating a mediamanipulation operation, wherein the instructions, when executed by oneor more processors, cause: receiving user input that changes whenplayback of a target media item will end relative to a timeline; whereinthe target media item is represented by a visual representation that hasa start and an end; wherein the location of the end of the visualrepresentation, relative to the timeline, determines when playback ofthe target media item will end relative to an in-place video item thathas been associated with the timeline and that comprises a plurality offrames; wherein the user input causes the end of the visualrepresentation to move relative to the timeline; wherein the in-placevideo item has a playback time, relative to the timeline, that does notchange in response to the user input; in response to the user input,performing the steps of: automatically selecting a particular frame,from the plurality of frames, based on the particular frame beingaligned with the end of the visual representation, wherein theparticular frame is selected without regard to the position of anycursor, and displaying a heads-up-display that visually depicts at leastthe particular frame without playing the in-place video item.
 15. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the user input isinput that initiates the media manipulation operation.
 16. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein: the user inputmoves the entire visual representation of the target media item; thetarget media item includes one or more sync points, and theheads-up-display includes, for each sync point of the one or more syncpoints, a frame of the in-place video that is located at a position thatcurrently corresponds to where the sync point aligns with the timeline.17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein: the userinput moves the entire visual representation of the target media item;and the target media item includes one or more clip markers, and theheads-up-display includes, for each clip marker of the one or more clipmarkers, a frame of the in-place video that is located at a positionthat currently corresponds to where the clip marker aligns with thetimeline.
 18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 whereinthe heads-up-display is automatically hidden in response to completionof the media manipulation operation.
 19. The computer-readable storagemedium of claim 14 wherein: the representation of the target media itemis a first representation; when the media manipulation operation isinitiated, a second representation, that represents the in-place videoitem, is located on the timeline; and the media manipulation operationinvolves placing the first representation on the timeline.
 20. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions,when executed by the one or more processors, further cause causingmovement of the heads-up-display to track movement of a cursor that isbeing used to manipulate the first representation.
 21. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein theuser input is one of: placing the visual representation of the targetmedia item onto a visual display of the timeline; dragging the visualrepresentation from one location on the timeline to another location onthe timeline; or resizing the visual representation.
 22. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein: thelocation of the start of the visual representation, relative to thetimeline, determines when playback of the target media item will startrelative to the in-place video item that has been associated with thetimeline; the user input causes the start of the visual representationto move relative to the timeline; and the instructions includeinstructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, furthercause, in response to the user input: determining where the start of thevisual representation aligns with the timeline; and identifying a secondframe, of the in-place video item, that corresponds to whether the startof the visual representation aligns with the timeline; wherein theheads-up-display currently depicts the second frame and the particularframe.
 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storinginstructions for facilitating a media manipulation operation, whereinthe instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause:detecting user input that moves a visual element relative to a timeline;wherein a video item that is separate from the visual element has beenpositioned, relative to the timeline, prior to detecting the user input;wherein the visual element represents one of: an envelope point of aparameter automation curve, a clip marker that is a user-specified pointwithin a first media clip that is separate from the video item and thatis neither the beginning nor the end of the first media clip, whereinthe clip marker does not move relative to the first media clip but doesmove relative to the timeline, or a sync point that is a pointestablished within a second media clip that is separate from the videoitem and that is neither the beginning nor the end of the second mediaclip, wherein the sync point does not move relative to the second mediaclip but does move relative to the timeline; in response to the userinput, displaying a heads-up-display that visually depicts a particularframe of the video item; wherein the particular frame is selected fordisplay in the heads-up display without regard to the position of anycursor; wherein the user input moves the visual element relative to thetimeline, but does not affect the position of the video item relative tothe timeline; wherein the particular frame is at a particular location,within the video item, that corresponds to the current location of thevisual element relative to the timeline; wherein the particular locationchanges in response to movement of the visual element during the mediamanipulation operation; and in response to changes to the particularlocation, changing the frame displayed in the heads-up-display.
 24. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 23 wherein, the visual elementrepresents a sync point that is a point established within a secondmedia clip that is separate from the video item and that is neither thebeginning nor the end of the second media clip, wherein the sync pointdoes not move relative to the second media clip but does move relativeto the timeline.
 25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 23, wherein the visual element represents an envelope point ofa parameter automation curve.
 26. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 23, wherein the visual element represents a clipmarker that is a user-specified point within a first media clip that isseparate from the video item and that is neither the beginning nor theend of the first media clip, wherein the clip marker does not moverelative to the first media clip but does move relative to the timeline.